“If we felt it was 100 percent, we would have continued with this throwing program,” Girardi told MLB.com. “He’s close, but he’s not quite there.”

Soriano was placed on the 60-day DL in order to make room on the 40-man roster for newly acquired Cory Wade. That makes him ineligible to return to action until the middle of July, but at this point, for a guy who might eventually need Tommy John surgery, a mid-July return seems very unlikely.

The Yankees are smart taking it cautiously with Soriano. With Joba Chamberlain out for the next year, getting Soriano back for a stretch run would be huge and more important than ever.

About Rob Abruzzese

Rob Abruzzese created Bronx Baseball Daily in 2008 just before graduating from Brooklyn College. He currently serves BBD as its editor and works as a reporter at the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Follow Rob on Twitter @RobAbruzzese.